Spider Sponges

[oceaninabox]

We were looking over the web and ran across these sponges. Do you think this is something a lot of hobbyist like? What are your thoughts?

 

[nino78]

I personally think they are awesome.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

they are awesome, but ive never been able to keep them alive. I think if you are running a bacterial driven system, you stand a chance, but even, im not sure for how long. Ive tried them a couple times now.

 

[oceaninabox]

Thats what I have read as well. They like it "mucky".

 

[JuniorMC8704]

ive heard good results using the fauna marin sea fan food, but i think like most NP inverts, you would probably need a continuous stream of food going in the tank via a dosing pump or something similar.

Ill probably try again someday when my big tanks up, and i get bored.

 

[jackson520]

it is not a sponge...but coral.

 

[Ladipyg]

I think a nano cube dedicated to heavy feeders like this sponge would be an interesting tank to have... if you could set the tank up with a top off system of sorts, on a timer, food and fresh saltwater in and and equal amount of old dirty water going out, both pumps turning on at once so there is no overflow, it could work IMO. Time it like the tides...

 

[mrgreenthumb]

If I were you perry I wouldn't bother bringing them in.....you will lose money just feeding them to keep them happy while you wait for them to sell..... There are a few stores here in town that have been sitting on them for months...though people are pretty cheap around here...

 

[Hypertek99]

it is not a sponge...but coral.

This has been discussed before. It is in fact 2 different species coexisting together. A sponge and some type of polyp. I don't think perry should carry them as i don't believe they are great seller as they don't live too long in captivity.

Here are 2 links
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6572&highlight=white+lightning

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6573&highlight=white+lightning

 

[oceaninabox]

Thanks guys this is the feedback Im looking for!!!!! I had a customer that wanted a whole case of 24 pieces and I tried my hardest to deter him for the same reasons you are giving.

 

[Reef Pets]

I would have to say that it would be a bad seller. By all means they are amazing but impossible to keep a live for a long period of time. Hobbyist have caught onto this already therefore it would most likely be a bad choice.

 

[bkv1997]

I picked up a piece at a local frag swap.....

At first it looked pretty rough, but after dosing Oyster Feast every morning when i first get up before the lights come on this thing has started looking amazing. I'm only about 2 weeks in, so not sure about long term..... but i have def seen signs of improvement.

http://www.reefnutrition.com/oysterfeast/index.htm

 

[bkv1997]

Oh not sure if the zeo sponge power helps, but I also dose that.

 

[gflat65]

I've had a piece since September that is doing well. I got it from the same guy bkv1997 got his from. He's been growing it for a few years. It's a great seller at frag swaps, but a lot of things selll better at swaps them other places. I agree with most of what is posted above on retailing a lot of it, though.

 

[TROYREEFER]

Nice to know. I just picked up one today. I had no idea it needs that much care. I should have done my research. Oh well i'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Psychographic]

Of the people who say these are hard to keep, do you have any other sponges growing in your tanks?

I would love to give one of these a try, I have quite a few sponges growing and doing well in my tank, but don't want to waste my money if this particular one would be doomed from the start.

Other than the Zoanthids growing on it, do these sponges need any particular care that is different than most other sponges?

 

[gflat65]

The guy I got mine from said he has his in a low light area with plenty of flow (and dirt in the water). I've got mine in the front lower section of a 40B under (4) T5's (Tek). It gets medium flow at best and med-med high light (not many low light areas under T5's...). I've only had it since September, but it's been doing well for me.

 

[stunreefer]

A sponge and some type of polyp.

It's a Clathria sp. sponge with a symbiotic Parazoanthus sp. living on it. I've seen them with yellow Parazoanthus as well...

IMO these should not be imported into the hobby AT ALL, along with dendronepthya, scleronepthya and most NPS gorgs... not until they can be successfully kept on a much larger scale than now. 99.9% of those genus die within a short period of time after being collected. Unfortunately, if you like them and think they're beautifull, don't buy them so we can save them.

These sponges are different than your average "hitch-hiker" sponge we see on rocks... if you have those that does not mean you'll have success with these.

 

[Psychographic]

I have what I would consider ornamental sponges that are living in my tank along with the hitch hikers sponges, are the Spider Sponges needs about the same for these?

 

[DESpoINE]

We were looking over the web and ran across these sponges. Do you think this is something a lot of hobbyist like? What are your thoughts?

Not sure everyone would but, they look amazing! Ironically I picked mine up today